Archaeological students digging up dirt on prison’s past

A group of university archaeological students made some surprising discoveries when excavating the former Picton Road Station in the southern midlands.

Brad Williams (left) Southern Midlands Council Manager Heritage Projects, with students Lucy Council and Declan Pape at the site of the former Picton convict probation station, an 1830s Tasmanian penal quadrangle. Picture: OSBORNE IMAGES

SOLITARY cells of Tasmanian convicts have been unearthed during an archaeological training excavation near Kempton.

The solitary cells are part of the former Picton Road Station and were discovered by a group of university students during a two-week training excavation.

It was a base for 150 convicts between 1839 and 1847 while they built the highway connecting Hobart and Launceston.

The excavation is the second year of the University of Tasmania’s Convict Archaeology Field School, organised in partnership with the Southern Midlands Council.

Archaeology students Mary-Clare Conheady-Barker and Kieran McGee at the site of the former Picton convict probation station. Picture: OSBORNE IMAGES

Adjunct Professor Eleanor Casella led the excavation with Brad Williams, council’s Manager Heritage Projects, and three other experienced archaeologists.

“We have excavated part of an original solitary cell. These cells are small and expose the harsh conditions in which convicts lived,” Prof Casella said.

Road gangs housed at Picton Road Station worked six days a week between sunrise and sunset crushing large stones using a pair of handheld tools.

“Field School students gain insight into this history and contribute towards the knowledge-base and archaeological skill training in Tasmania and Australia,” Prof Casella said.

Structural discoveries include a small room, which does not appear on the station’s existing historic plan. It contains a rich and unusual collection of artefacts.

“We also found Chinese export porcelain, which is unusual at convict stations. This gives insight into colonial trade from Canton/Guangzhou to Van Diemen’s Land,” Prof Casella said.

Mr Williams said the project is fortunate to have the support of the land owners to undertake the research.

“We are grateful to the McShane family who are willing to allow our ongoing access for beneficial research, public engagement and training in convict archaeology.”